Small families, big expectations: privilege, pressure and the price of shrinking families

Farrah A’inna Fathirra (left) and Putri Nadeeya Wan Mohamed Zahari (right) both grew up as only children. While they enjoyed their parents’ full attention, they also carry the weight of high expectations — a reality for many in Malaysia’s shrinking families.

By DIYANA PFORDTEN

PETALING JAYA: As Malaysian families continue to shrink in size, individuals raised in small families reflect on the weight of responsibility and expectation on their shoulders.